The mayors of Brampton and Surrey in Canada have jointly called upon the federal government, led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, to initiate a comprehensive, multi-jurisdictional approach in response to the escalating extortion threats faced by South Asian businesspeople from criminal gangs in their respective cities. Expressing deep concerns for their communities, Mayors Patrick Brown of Brampton, Ontario, and Brenda Locke of Surrey, British Columbia, specifically highlighted the rising incidents of extortion calls from Canadian gangsters targeting South Asian communities, especially those of Indian origin, over the past two months.
India's Ministry of External Affairs had previously termed the situation a "matter of serious concern" on January 4. Responding to this alarming trend, the mayors penned a letter to the federal Minister of Public Safety, urging immediate actions to ensure the safety and security of the South Asian population. They emphasized the cross-jurisdictional nature of these threats and called for a coordinated response by the federal government.
Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah of Peel, in the Greater Toronto Area, acknowledged a significant surge in extortion threats, with reported cases rising from nine in December 2023 to 20 in January 2024. Disturbingly, six of these cases involved violence, including shootings at business properties, indicating a troubling trend under investigation for potential transnational links. The Extortion Investigative Task Force, established last month, is currently investigating 16 such cases, and a hotline has been launched to facilitate the reporting of such incidents.
India's Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, highlighted the seriousness of the situation, acknowledging it as a "matter of concern" during a weekly media briefing. The mayors' appeal underscored the heightened fears among South Asian business owners, with Mayor Brown suggesting that the threats may originate from outside Canada, calling for international cooperation.
While the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is collaborating with local police forces, the mayors stressed the need for additional measures, asserting that the residents must not be subjected to terrorizing tactics. The situation remains dynamic, with local and federal authorities working to address the multifaceted challenges posed by these extortion threats.
